Trailer Review: Foxcatcher (2014)

A new teaser trailer is online for director Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher. The film has been getting rave reviews from critics at Cannes and it is easy to see why.

The film is based on a true story and it has a script written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman. It stars Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo as the real-life Olympic Wrestling Champion brothers Mark and Dave Schultz. They make a deal to open a new wrestling academy funded by eccentric John du Pont (Steve Carell), heir to the du Pont Chemical fortune. Things quickly go sour though when du Pont murders Dave and Mark has to seek justice for the crime.

Steve Carell is almost unrecognizable as du Pont and it is cool to see him play a darker character. Channing Tatum also looks convincing as Mark Schulz and the actor stated that his role was “the hardest acting challenge I’ve had to date.” Both actors are taking on challenging roles and trying to become more versatile which is to be commended. The film also has a good supporting cast including Vanessa Redgrave, Sienna Miller and Anthony Michael Hall.

The teaser trailer features some cool scenes between Mark and du Pont as du Pont decides to coach him. Mark wants to be the best wrestler in the world and du Pont promises to make him the best. There is something sinister about du Pont and this comes across clearly in the trailer. Viewers may get the feeling that poor Mark is making a deal with a man who is not to be trusted. This adds a fair bit of tension to the brief teaser which is most welcome. The trailer has great music too which increases the tension and feeling of unease. Plenty of boxing movies have been made in Hollywood and it is nice to see a film about wrestling for a change.

Foxcatcher will be released in the US on November 14th, there is no UK release date yet. Check out the trailer and share your thoughts.